Avalanche aim for win over Coyotes in tight West race (Mar 09, 2018)
The Colorado Avalanche have gone winless for a week, but they've remained in the thick of the race thanks to salvaging a point in all three losses.
While getting to overtime against tough matchups -- home against the red-hot Nashville Predators and road games against Chicago and Columbus -- the postseason-hopeful Avalanche need to pick up two points Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes instead of one.
On paper, Colorado (35-24-8) should beat Arizona, considering the Coyotes are last in the Western Conference and have no shot at the playoffs. But it is noteworthy that Arizona (21-34-11) is one of three teams to beat the Avalanche at home since late December, so that should get Colorado's attention.
Moreover, the Coyotes are 9-2-2 in their last 13 games and 3-0-1 in their last four.
The 4-2 loss to Arizona on Dec. 27 served as a turning point for the Avalanche. They reeled off 10 straight home wins after that, and within that stretch won 10 straight overall. Colorado is 13-1-1 at Pepsi Center since then and sits a point behind Los Angeles for the second wild card.
The news is getting better for the Avalanche. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier will start Saturday after missing 10 games with a concussion. Bernier was playing well before getting hurt and his return will help ease the workload for Semyon Varlamov down the stretch.
Defenseman Erik Johnson took part in non-contact drills Friday as he works his way back from a shoulder injury suffered Feb. 18 against Edmonton. The team hasn't said when he might return. Colorado is 4-1-4 in his absence.
The Avalanche are trying to reach the playoffs for the first time in four years despite some major injuries. They are also trying to complete a turnaround from worst team in the NHL to a postseason berth without major changes.
The only significant move was trading Matt Duchene in November, but for the most part the same players who were on the 48-point team a year ago are leading the drive to the playoffs. They realize at this point that wins are tantamount, especially with seven home games left in March.
"These points are crucial for us," rookie center Tyson Jost said after practice Friday. "We've got to bear down if we ever get in an overtime situation again."
Colorado has relied on the scoring of its top line, but the power play has picked up in the last month. The Avalanche are 11 of 33 with the man advantage in the last nine games, a trend that needs to continue in the last 14 games.
The Coyotes will try to derail Colorado's playoff push by continuing their late-season surge. An improved defense has helped Arizona turn things around.
"I'd say it's more of a consistent level of play from a lot of guys," Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet told The Arizona Republic earlier this week. "It's even a more consistent level of hockey IQ when it comes to playing the system. ... We're obviously getting really good goaltending from (Antti Raanta), and I think our (defense) being healthy in the last month has really helped our team.
"So you put those together and you've got a good chance of winning a hockey game."
